Curiosities in the Cotswolds

A gentle, laid back tour of the Cotswolds villages looking at the odd, unusual and bizarre aspects of village life in addition to admiring the beauty of the warm Cotswold stone cottages.

Part One guides us round the North Cotswolds starting at the most well-known popular village, Bourton-on-the-Water and moving gently around the area including Adlestrop, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton, Stanway, Winchcombe and Blockley before ending with a relaxed, lingering view of my favourite village  -  Lower Slaughter.

A very large Victorian gothic drinking fountain built in 1870 to provide fresh water for the village

This set of stocks is unique for its seven holes.

The local folk will tell you that, when the stocks were built, an extra leg-hole was added for a one legged criminal who lived in town.

Do you believe them?

Churchill

Winchcombe

Phyllis Humphries was a Rat Catcher by trade travelling with husband John from town to town earning the odd crust or two.

The Russell Spring

"Water from the living rock   God's precious gift to man."

Chipping Norton

Blockley

The station nameplate and a platform bench now reside in the village shelter.

"Yes  -  I remember Adlestrop ........."       

The Four Shire Stone.  Four counties used to  meet at exactly this  spot.   Nowadays,  only three meet here.  Which one have we lost?

Adlestrop

Moreton-in-Marsh

Currently undergoing major refurbishment, this building was saved from dereliction by Damien Hurst.

A very striking gatehouse reflecting the low sun.

This was designed by Inigo Jones and is a classic piece of Jacobean architecture.

Toddington Manor

Stanway Manor

A beautiful, unspoilt village  -  a highlight of  any visit to the area. They do not want too many visitors so car parking is difficult.

A lovely village but over-commercialised. This picture was taken in November after the crowds had left.

Lower Slaughter

Bourton-on-the-Water

Part Two takes us around the South Cotswolds starting at the area around Northleach and proceeding south-west through Fairford, South Cerney, Painswick and Bisley down to Wootton-under-Edge and Hawkesbury before returning to the ever popular Bibury and Arlington Row for a final look at the beauty which is The Cotswolds.

Did you realise that macaroni grows on trees?

Reminds me of  a TV programme called Nationwide which went out on April 1st !

A classic statue of Father Thames which originally stood at Trewsbury Mead to mark the source of  the river.

Nr Fairford

Lechlade-on-Thames

The mansion that was never finished.  An interesting Victorian building site giving an insight in to building techniques and skills of  the Victorians.

A fascinating "Hobbit" house built originally as a shelter for sheep.This is on Private Property - please do not trespass.

Woodchester

Chedglow

A fascinating memorial within Sherborne Church.An angel, a medallion and a skeleton rising from his tomb.  It must mean something to somebody ! !

On the right, a close up of  the skeleton with a bit of a silly grin on his face. What can he see from down there?

Sherborne

Sherborne

Why is Betty's Grave at this crossroads?  Was she a teenage girl in Victorian England who had a baby? Or was she a tramp who just happened to die here?

The Churchyard is famous for its clipped yew  trees. There are 99 trees at the last count.  You want 100?

The devil  -  he say "No"

Poulton

Painswick

The Swan Hotel provides a fitting backdrop to this enchanting scene. The village includes a trout farm, visitor centre and Arlington Row , the most photographed cottages in England. My picture concentrates on the undulating roof line.

Bibury

Bibury